Chapter 72, Let Me Ask Just One Thing (3)

Translator: Hedge

Editor: Lizzz

 

No sooner had his habitual self-introduction ended than two flashing ice spears surged toward the Knights.

 

*Swoosh!*

 

*Crack!*

 

The sound of something sharp cutting through the air and bones crushing were heard almost simultaneously.

 

Fast!

 

One knight with good reflexes barely avoided it by jumping off his horse as if falling. The other fell from his horse with a hole in his chest. The blood flowing from him quickly formed a pool.

 

With no time to prepare as one died, the Knights hurriedly dismounted. Arsene had no intention of waiting for them to come closer, so he moved his hand again.

 

*Sheeek! Sheeek!*

 

Two ice spears flew one after another at the Knight standing directly in front of Arsene. After deflecting one with his sword, he was immediately struck by the second ice spear and died.

 

*Thud!*

 

At the sound of the heavy body falling, the eyes of the remaining Knights wavered.

 

Choose a target, calculate the distance, chant a Spell, and activate it.

 

That was how a Mage fought, was it not?

 

*Swoosh!*

*Crack!*

 

As if mocking the Knights’ complacency, the explosive sounds continued.

 

Arsene’s ice flew in the dark night, equivalent to being an assassination technique in itself.

 

Once one caught a glimpse of it, they died!

 

*Thump.*

 

A Knight beside Tayle collapsed to the ground. Dark red blood gushed from his pierced neck.

 

[This is insane!]

 

In that brief moment of dismounting and surrounding Arsene, three had been cut down.

 

Tayle tightened his grip on his sword.

 

Arsene, standing in the middle of seven Knights, turned his head.

 

As his gaze searching for the next target turned to the front, two Knights, who had positioned themselves behind Arsene charged in unison. Each aimed for Arsene’s neck and heart.

 

Their swords slashed like the wind.

 

Arsene noticed this a bit late and turned his head. The blade, already at close range, reflected in Arsene’s pupils.

 

And then.

 

*Ping! Zing!*

 

Along with a metallic sound too cheerful for the situation, Arsene’s Shield flashed twice. The two swords, unable to even graze their target’s clothes, bounced off.

 

As the two Knights with dumbfounded expressions tried to extend their swords again, ice spears that had somehow appeared, struck them. The chilling sound of ribs being crushed mercilessly followed.

 

*Crunch! Crack!*

 

One fell to the ground with his heart pierced. The other, whose lungs had disappeared, envied his heart-lost comrade for a while before dying, spitting out bloody foam.

 

Tayle, who had witnessed this scene, gritted his teeth.

 

[Damn it!] The fact that Tayle was still alive was not due to skill. He was just lucky. Tayle knew this better than anyone.

 

In the blink of an eye, five Elite Knights of the Marquis Family had died!

 

[We’ve messed with the wrong person-!]

 

Arsene did not even give Tayle enough time to regret it though.

 

Feeling a chilling sensation approaching, Tayle twisted his head just as the cold ice blade grazed his nape. He felt a burning pain in his neck, unsure if it had cut him. At the same time, Arsene’s Shield flashed again.

 

*Zing! Ping!*

 

The two who had struck the shield, taking advantage of the moment Tayle was attacked, retreated. And they watched the front, ready to block any ice spears that might fly at them.

 

*Sheeeek!*

 

As if toying with these Knights, this time, an ice spear was created above one of them and plunged straight down.

 

*Boom!*

 

The Knight who became the unfortunate target died with the ice piercing from the crown of his head to his chin. The red blood flowing along the tip of the ice soaked the ground.

 

Tayle survived simply because he was out of Arsene’s sight. The moment he realised he was alive, Tayle’s body drove into the ground.

 

He was not heading toward Arsene. He was trying to escape!

 

Seeing Tayle’s movement, the other Knights also looked for their chance to slowly flee.

 

At that moment, one Knight rushed toward Arsene. The sharp blade flew in as if to cleave through both Shield and Arsene.

 

Instead of gauging how much defensive power remained in the Shield or how sharp that blade might be, Arsene opened his mouth.

 

“Teleport”

 

With a low voice, Arsene disappeared from his sight.

 

With that, the Knights, except for the one who had swung his sword at Arsene, began running in their own directions. Of course, Tayle was one of them.

 

Arsene’s figure appeared right behind Tayle. A chilling ice spear that gave goosebumps just by looking at it was fired toward Tayle and another Knight.

 

Tayle twisted his waist and swung his sword behind his back.

 

This miraculous movement saved his life. With a *clang*, the ice spear was deflected.

 

*Thunk!*

 

At the same time, the light of life faded from the eyes of the Knight running ahead. Tayle’s hand trembled when he saw this.

 

[We should have never come!]

 

He thought the Mages were quite strong.

 

So, he called on nine more companions, who were unknown to the Royal Palace. Including Tayle, that made ten Knights in total. There was also enough money to divide among ten people, and since they were promised double if they succeeded, the amount being split was still considerable.

 

Tayle let out a hollow laugh.

 

“To think I believed we could succeed. With just ten men…”

 

Regret filled Tayle’s eyes, too late as he faced death today due to a brief misjudgement.

 

It was clear that even Sillike did not know who Arsene really was. The money was certainly substantial, but far from enough.

 

Less than 5 minutes after surrounding Arsene.

 

Three remained out of ten Knights.

 

*Swoosh!*

*Crack!*

 

No, just two.

 

One who had been running away with his back turned could not avoid the ice spear falling from the sky. He died with his body pierced by a massive ice spear.

 

His corpse rolled down the riverbank. Dark red blood spread through the clear water of the Senu River.

 

There was one who had swung his sword at Arsene, while Tayle, who had given up, just kept escaping.

 

Only two remained now.

 

Seeing this, Arsene’s attack ceased for a moment.

 

“Now, there are only two left.”

 

Arsene finally spoke.

 

“Which one of you will live? I only need one.”

 

And he asked this.

 

* * *

 

Right after Arsene left, Kalian, who took a sip of carbonated water with a relaxed face, opened his mouth and said in a not-so-loud voice.

 

“Kyrie.”

 

Since no one was around, it might have seemed like talking to himself at first glance.

 

The banquet had just started, and the atmosphere was noisy. The sound of people introducing themselves to each other was loud. The sound of glasses clinking together was constant, and the sounds of tableware hitting each other from all around was unceasing.

 

In response to Kalian’s voice amidst all this, Kyrie, who had been standing a little away from Kalian with Ian, immediately approached. Perhaps due to the influence of his Elf bloodline, Kyrie had exceptionally good hearing.

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

Kalian looked at Kyrie for a moment and conveyed his message. Though no one could have heard it buried under the surrounding sounds, only Kyrie understood everything Kalian had said.

 

“…Can you do it?”

 

Kalian asked this at the end of his words.

 

Kyrie answered without hesitation.

 

“Yes.”

 

Kalian nodded, and Kyrie left the banquet hall right away.

 

Watching Kyrie’s back, Kalian stood up from his seat and briefly looked at where Allan was. Allan, who had been talking with Rmain, naturally looked at Kalian, and Kalian left the banquet hall without another word.

 

Allan immediately followed Kalian out.

 

“What’s happening?”

 

Kalian opened his mouth with a smile as he nodded his head.

 

“News about Gray was delivered today, so Sillike must have made a move. She will want to confirm whether I did something to Gray.”

 

“I was wondering about this too. Lord Hertz is also nowhere to be seen.”

 

Having immediately understood the situation, Allan’s eyes curved round. His voice continued as if he found the situation interesting.

 

“Sillike’s agents must have targeted Lord Hertz. Shall I go?”

 

At those words, Kalian smiled.

 

“How could we possibly act as though Syspanian is out hunting for rabbits? There’s no need for Master’s strength to be shown, not when it is only to capture those who are attacking Lord Hertz right now. You just need to go in and inform His Majesty.”

 

It was a statement of trust in Arsene, but there was another reason why he believed Arsene alone would be sufficient to handle it.

 

“Sillike is probably uncertain whether the Marquis is on her side or not. She must be anxious.”

 

Kalian knew very well that Gray had not come to help Sillike out of deep sibling affection. So, he believes there must have been some kind of deal.

 

And the only thing the current Sillike could offer Gray was the title of Marquis. However, the position of Marquis does not come freely. It could not be easily transferred, similar to the throne. That position only became available when Evan Beurisen died.

 

Therefore, Sillike would also be considering the possibility that Evan had noticed her plan and had truly personally taken action to punish Gray.

 

“It would take days for someone sent to the border to return with accurate information. Until then, she needs to consider whether the Marquis himself attacked Gray. So, Sillike can’t freely command the Marquis’ Knights. If she’s not careful, their swords might turn on her instead.”

 

Having said this, Kalian looked toward Heisia Palace with a deep sneer.

 

“Moreover, Sillike has never met Lord Hertz. The extent of Lord Hertz’s military prowess isn’t known, so she probably called just a few Knights at most. In short, Lord Hertz alone will be more than enough to deal with them.”

 

The corners of Allan’s mouth turned up.

 

Despite feeling such aversion when they first met.

 

“Your faith in Lord Hertz has become quite strong since returning from the Roselita.”

 

At those words, Kalian looked at Allan and grinned.

 

“Of course I trust him. He was the last person I met before coming here.”

 

Allan, who had roughly guessed what might have happened between Bern and Arsene based on Kalian’s reaction the first day he saw Arsene, clicked his tongue. Now, he was certain his assumption was correct.

 

* * *

 

[‘ Don’t fall asleep on the way.’]

 

Arsene, who now understood what those words meant, sighed deeply as he looked at the two standing before him.

 

He knew there would be an attack on Kalian.

 

Yet, he was sent to deal with it alone!

 

“I don’t know whether to be grateful for the trust or resentful for the neglect, Your Highness…” Arsene murmured.

 

He did not know why Kalian had such absolute faith in his abilities.

 

The faces of Tayle and the other Knight watching Arsene became greatly distorted. Both still held swords in their hands. The distance from Arsene was only about one and a half steps. Despite this, Arsene was still lost in his own thoughts.

 

Of course, neither dared to attack Arsene. It was clear that before they could raise their swords, Arsene’s ice spears would have already pierced their bodies.

 

Arsene looked at the two and asked again.

 

“Have you decided? Who lives and who dies?”

 

Though he said this, Arsene actually intended to keep them both alive.

 

He planned to make them compete, to spill out more information in order to survive.

 

Tayle opened his mouth.

 

“Please spare me. And take me to Prince Kalian. I will tell you everything.”

 

In the Royal Palace, there was not only Kalian but also Sillike.

 

He thought that if he could just get to the Royal Palace, Sillike would save him.

 

At those words, the Knight standing next to him glared at Tayle with fierce eyes. No matter how close to death they were, he and Tayle had spent 12 years together. How could he so easily abandon his own brother in arms?

 

“Very well. Then……”

 

As Arsene was moving his hand toward the other man as a show of force, he paused momentarily. He caught wind of a sound coming from far away.

 

*Clop, clop!*

 

He heard the sound of horse hooves quickly approaching.

 

Arsene turned his head to observe the approaching person, leaving the two in front of him as they were. A moment later, as the distance grew a bit closer, and Arsene grinned.

 

“So, it wasn’t neglect after all.”

 

The one who came looking for Arsene was Kyrie.

 

Kyrie, dismounting from the horse, looked around. Seeing this, Arsene showed displeasure.

 

“You are late. Just go. This isn’t worth seeing.”

 

There was the stench of blood everywhere, bodies that didn’t die peacefully.

 

He thought that Kyrie, who was still young, should not see such a sight.

 

True to Arsene’s words, it was Kyrie’s first time seeing such a scene. But Kyrie was still composed.

 

“I’ve been in harsher places. I’m fine.”

 

Having said that, Kyrie looked briefly at the two living Knights and then asked Arsene.

 

“Why did you leave these two?”

 

To Kyrie’s question, Arsene thoughtlessly pointed to Tayle and opened his mouth.

 

“Wouldn’t the Prince need to confirm something? The friend on the left said he wanted to see the Prince, so……”

 

*Slash!*

 

Before Arsene could finish speaking, the head of the Knight on the right fell to the ground. The headless body collapsed with a heavy sound.

 

It was Kyrie who had instantly cut the neck of the Elite Knight from the Beurisen Family, who was tense and still holding onto his sword.

 

Flicking blood droplets off the dagger, Kyrie’s different-colored eyes looked toward Arsene.

 

“High Highness said there’s no need to bring them back.”

 

Tayle slumped to the ground on that very spot.